How to Talk to Your Partner About Shared Debt
- Learning to talk to your partner about shared debt can bring you tremendous benefits, financially and personally.
- Focus on good communication skills like getting your partner’s buy-in first, using “I” statements, and remembering your shared money goals.
- The skills you’ll learn when talking to your partner about shared debt can make your relationship even stronger.
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Communicating openly and honestly with your partner about your money—even debt—is key to your financial and mental well-being. If you can talk with your partner about shared debt, you can both get on the same page and find debt solutions that work for you. And that, in turn, can lower your stress and strengthen your relationship.
But how do you talk to your partner about shared debt? Few of us are taught these things, after all. It’s absolutely a skill you can learn—and your relationship can become stronger as a result.
Why Is Shared Debt Hard to Talk About?
Debt is one of those things that’s never really just about the dollars and cents. There’s often a whole world of emotion wrapped into those four letters.
If you feel embarrassed or ashamed for running up a credit card balance, for example (or mad at your partner for doing so), or you’re scared about what’ll happen if your debt gets too high, that’s usually hard to bring up.
But that’s not necessarily your fault. Talking about money is often taboo in our society. None of us were born with the skills we all need to 1) manage our debt, and 2) talk about it with our partners.
Let’s see if we can fix some of that.
Brush Up on Good Communication Skills
Having productive conversations with others can be tricky enough, even when it’s not a high-stakes money conversation. So let’s recap some of the basics that therapists and counselors often recommend:
Start small and often: Maybe you have a 10-point plan for managing your debt, but that can be scary to share with your partner all at once. Focus on smaller, more regular chats to reduce the overwhelm.
Focus on shared goals: The entire point of dealing with debt is to move on to more fun things, like buying a house together or saving for your kids’ education. This often gets lost, so try to find ways to remind yourself of your shared goals.
Use “I” statements rather than “you” statements: This brings it back to how something makes you feel, rather than putting someone else on the defensive. Example: “I feel stressed out that we’re carrying so much debt,” vs. “You always spend too much with the credit card.”
Take a breather if you need it: It’s normal to get overwhelmed or disagree. But chances are you won’t be productive unless you’re both fairly calm. So remember that you can take a break and agree to revisit it later.
How to Prepare to Talk to Your Partner About Debt
You wouldn’t buy a new house without your partner’s knowledge and input. It’s a big commitment, and there are too many steps you’ll need to get there. The same is true of talking to your partner about shared debt. There are lots of small decisions to be made, and your plan will likely be more effective if your partner is on board.
Here are some tips to help you prepare:
Get their buy-in first: Help your partner get in the right mindset before a debt conversation. Ask them something simple like, “Hey, I’ve been kinda stressed about this debt. Is it okay if we chat about it?” That opens the door and invites them into the talk.
Get your numbers straight: It’s good to start with exactly how much debt you’re in, and what types of debt you have. That way, you can get a more honest assessment and consider what to do.
Consider your options: Take some time to learn about the different ways you can manage your debt. That can help lower your stress and give you a clear path forward. If you need it, financial therapy is also an option.
Talking About Debt Is a Skill You Can Learn
Learning any new skill takes practice. You and your partner will both make mistakes, and that’s okay. Be persistent. Focus on your commitment to your partner (and vice versa) and your financial goals, and you can create a shared plan to repay your debt and make those goals a reality.
After all, there’s more than one way of looking at your shared debt. On the one hand, you have a problem that needs fixing. On the other, you have a chance to learn and practice positive communication skills—ones that you can use in other parts of your relationship, so that you both grow and come out even stronger than before.
Debt relief stats and trends
We looked at a sample of data from Freedom Debt Relief of people seeking a debt relief program during July 2025. The data uncovers various trends and statistics about people seeking debt help.
Credit utilization and debt relief
How are people using their credit before seeking help? Credit utilization measures how much of a credit line is being used. For example, if you have a credit line of $10,000 and your balance is $3,000, that is a credit utilization of 30%. High credit utilization often signals financial stress. We have looked at people who are seeking debt relief and their credit utilization. (Low credit utilization is 30% or less, medium is between 31% and 50%, high is between 51% and 75%, very high is between 76% to 100%, and over-utilized over 100%). In July 2025, people seeking debt relief had an average of 75% credit utilization.
Here are some interesting numbers:
| Credit utilization bucket | Percent of debt relief seekers |
|---|---|
| Over utilized | 30% |
| Very high | 32% |
| High | 19% |
| Medium | 10% |
| Low | 9% |
The statistics refer to people who had a credit card balance greater than $0.
You don't have to have high credit utilization to look for a debt relief solution. There are a number of solutions for people, whether they have maxed out their credit cards or still have a significant part available.
Credit card debt - average debt by selected states.
According to the 2023 Federal Reserve Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF) the average credit card debt for those with a balance was $6,021. The percentage of families with credit card debt was 45%. (Note: It used 2022 data).
Unsurprisingly, the level of credit card debt among those seeking debt relief was much higher. According to July 2025 data, 88% of the debt relief seekers had a credit card balance. The average credit card balance was $16,113.
Here's a quick look at the top five states based on average credit card balance.
| State | Average credit card balance | Average # of open credit card tradelines | Average credit limit | Average Credit Utilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $16,290 | 7 | $24,102 | 81% |
| Louisiana | $14,614 | 9 | $28,791 | 80% |
| Arkansas | $14,085 | 9 | $27,261 | 78% |
| Indiana | $13,933 | 8 | $25,731 | 78% |
| Kentucky | $13,041 | 8 | $26,156 | 78% |
The statistics are based on all debt relief seekers with a credit card balance over $0.
Are you starting to navigate your finances? Or planning for your retirement? These insights can help you make informed choices. They can help you work toward financial stability and security.
Support for a Brighter Future
No matter your age, FICO score, or debt level, seeking debt relief can provide the support you need. Take control of your financial future by taking the first step today.
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Author Information
Written by
Lindsay Vansomeren
Lindsay is a writer for Freedom Debt Relief. She's passionate about helping people learn how to manage their money better so that they can live the life they want. She enjoys outdoor adventures, reading, and learning new languages and hobbies.
Reviewed by
Kimberly Rotter
Kimberly Rotter is a financial counselor and consumer credit expert who helps people with average or low incomes discover how to create wealth and opportunities. She’s a veteran writer and editor who has spent more than 30 years creating thousands of hours of educational content in every possible format.